The Easiest Way To Switch From Alcoholic To Non-Alcoholic Drinks During Dry January

January is the time for new resolutions. It is the time to re-evaluate the year that has been so that you can start the new year with the best intentions. If cutting down alcohol consumption is one of your resolutions for this new year, Dry January is a great way to get started. This month-long challenge provides individuals an opportunity to see what their lives would be like if alcohol was out of the equation. The challenge started in the UK sometime in 2013 but has since then become quite popular around the world.

Are you planning to take up the Dry January challenge? If you’re clueless about how to go about this challenge, we’re here to help you. In this article, we’ll explain how non-alcoholic drinks make it easier for you to switch to a sober lifestyle for a month.

Let’s get started.

    What Is Dry January?

    Oftentimes, we get into self-perpetuated patterns and routines that get hard to break. If you’re going through something similar with your alcohol consumption habits, Dry January might be the answer you’ve been looking for all along.

    Dry January works as a reset button after the festivities and drinking of the holiday months. The month-long challenge began in 2013 as a public health campaign by Alcohol for Change, a UK-based non-profit. The first iteration of Dry January saw participation from over 4,000 people. Over the years, its popularity has only grown, and it has now turned into a global movement. In a recent survey, it was found that over 9 million people in the UK plan to participate in Dry January 2023.

    So why do so many people participate in the challenge?

    Besides reducing one’s dependence on alcohol, there are many other reasons why this challenge could be beneficial –

    • It could help you lose weight and improve your overall health
    • You’ll be able to experience improved sleep
    • The risk of blood pressure is reduced
    • You can also reduce the risk of liver disease

    Dry January gives you a teaser of the health benefits you can enjoy if you cut down on alcohol for a prolonged period of time.

    What Are The Things Happening In Dry January?

    So, are you ready to participate in Dry January this year? Even if you don’t have an alcohol problem, you can see many positive health benefits by observing this month-long challenge. Check out your local scene to see if there are any Dry January events happening in your region. This will give you a chance to meet other sober/sober-curious people, and you’ll also be able to learn something from their experience.

    You can even plan your own Dry January event. Here are some useful tips for the same –

    • Make the event an experience: Since there will be no alcohol involved in the event, try to make it an engaging experience for the guests. Make sure that the food is unique and plan some fun activities for the party.
    • Prepare exciting drinks: Just because you’re hosting a Dry January event doesn’t mean that you can’t have any drinks at the party. You can keep a variety of non-alcoholic beverages. Just browse through the vast selection of non-alcoholic wines, spirits, and beers on Better Rhodes, the non-alcoholic marketplace.
    • Use premium ingredients: If you’re going to host an event, make sure you do it right. Use only the best ingredients, whether it is in food, drinks, or desserts. By using premium ingredients, you will be able to create an elevated experience.

    What Are Non-Alcoholic Drinks?

    Drinks that contain less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) are known as non-alcoholic drinks. Although the name might suggest that it has zero alcohol, the truth is that NA beverages do contain a minuscule amount of alcohol, which is generally harmless. Even a ripe banana contains around 0.5% of alcohol.

    Non-alcoholic drinks are made using the same fermentation process that is used in regular alcohol. The only difference is that the ABV is kept below 0.5% by removing excess alcohol or by stopping the fermentation process earlier. Also known as de-alcoholized drinks, they generally offer the same level of complexity and depth as regular alcohol.

    There is one other type of drink that is closely associated with non-alcoholic drinks – alcohol-free beverages. If you’re looking for a drink that contains 0.0% (zero) alcohol by volume, then you can go for alcohol-free beverages. In these drinks, the fermentation process doesn’t take place at all, so there is no production of alcohol.

    How Do Non-Alcoholic Drinks Differ From Alcoholic Ones?

    From the description of non-alcoholic drinks given above, you might already have some idea about what makes non-alcoholic beverages different from alcoholic ones.

    Alcoholic drinks usually contain ethanol, which is produced by the fermentation of fruits, grains, and other sugar sources. It is this ethanol that is responsible for the depressant effect that is commonly experienced after drinking. Alcoholic beverages are widely known for causing addiction, leading to a condition that is known as alcoholism. The two basic types of alcoholic drinks are fermented drinks (cider, wine, beer) and distilled drinks (brandy, rum, whisky, vodka, and gin).

    Now, non-alcoholic drinks are a version of alcoholic drinks with little to no alcohol. Also known as temperance drinks, non-alcoholic drinks can give you the same level of taste and complexity, without the harmful effects of alcohol. Non-alcoholic drinks come in many variations, like non-alcoholic beer, NA wine, and NA spirits. Here are some excellent choices to get you started -

    Switching To Non-Alcoholic Drinks: The Benefits

    Whether you’re planning to switch to non-alcoholic drinks for the month or indefinitely, there are many benefits to be enjoyed. Here are some of the changes you’ll be able to observe –

    • Greater focus and productivity: Non-alcoholic beverages allow you to focus on the tasks at hand. You’ll also notice that there is lesser brain fog.
    • No hangovers: Since there are no intoxication effects associated with non-alcoholic beverages, you won’t have to deal with the side effects of a hangover, like anxiety, weakness, nausea, etc.
    • Better sleep: As you go through Dry January with non-alcoholic beverages, you’ll notice a definite improvement in your sleep quality.
    • Better mental and physical health: One of the biggest side effects of alcohol is that it takes a toll on our physical health too. This is because it interferes with brain chemistry and affects our thoughts and feelings too. By switching over to non-alcoholic drinks, you be more present with yourself and would be able to take better care of your physical health too.

    Other Things To Keep In Mind

    The information provided in the aforementioned sections will hopefully provide you with some insights on how best to plan your Dry January. Whether you chose to stay sober or start drinking again at the end of it, Dry January is an excellent challenge to gain some perspective on your life. It also gives you a chance to re-evaluate how alcohol makes you feel. And if you’re looking for non-alcoholic drinks to continue on your journey, Better Rhodes is here to offer you your drink of choice.